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Holders through in Cockspur group quarters

Only four matches survived the soggy Bank Holiday weekend weather in the Cockspur Cup third round, with holders South Northumberland safely through.

They won at Sunderland, while Chester-le-Street joined them in the Group 1 semi-finals with victory at Benwell Hill.

After the disastrous weekend on the day of the second round all clubs were hoping that now things were back on track the weather gods would shine on everyone – but out of the 64 matches scheduled only five results were achieved on the field of play.

A sixth match was started but only lasted 17 overs, another tie was decided by the toss of a coin and five teams had already conceded their ties. Therefore 11 of the 64 ties have been decided and a second attempt will be made in the other 53 ties over the next two weekends - so yet more fixture chaos ensues.

Group 1 saw three of the four ties decided. South Northumberland continued the defence of their crown in style as they cruised to a seven-wicket win over Sunderland – conversely they lost their league match the following day against the same opposition.

Chester-le-Street amassed 288 for three against Benwell Hill with opener Wayne Ritzema scoring 150 not out and Quentin Hughes (85) joining him in an opening stand of 188. In reply Benwell Hill succumbed to 99 all out, Chester-le-Street winning by 189 runs.

In Scotland, Grange reached 159 for six in their 45 overs, N McRae top-scoring with 83 and Rohit Ralhan taking 3-31. Rohit then led the Clydesdale reply scoring 69 and with support from K Farid (39) and H Singh (42 not out) his team ran out winners by seven wickets with over 14 overs remaining. The final tie in this Group between Poloc and Fofarshire will be played on June 3.

The only other matches to be played were at New Brighton and Bradshaw. In Group 5 Bradshaw batted first and scored 173 for seven against Bowdon, who were then bowled out for 166 in a close finish, losing by seven runs.

New Brighton batted first in their match in Group 6 against Firwood Bootle, which was played over 20 overs-a-side. Ashraf Nawab top scored with 57 as their innings closed after setting what appeared to be a very challenging 166 for eight.

Firwood Bootle had other ideas as Ian Cockbain and Graham Lloyd set about the chase at a thunderous pace. Ian scored 94 off 37 balls, including nine fours and six sixes, whilst Graham’s 48 not out came off 36 balls as Bootle romped to a nine-wicket victory off only 12.5 overs.

The only other match to see any play was at the other end of the country as Hastings & St Leonard’s Priory scored 132 for one off only 17 overs against Linden Park from Tunbridge Wells - and then the heavens opened. They will now play this tie on Sunday June 3.

In Group 3, Kimberley Institute progressed against Rotherham Town by virtue of winning on the toss of a coin and five other sides - Northern, Thornbury, Grampound Road, Teddington and Three Bridges - progressed by virtue of their respective opponents conceding.

45 matches have been rescheduled for Sunday June 3, seven will be played on Sunday June 10 and one match still remains to be rearranged.

The home side, Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC, rattled up 132 for one in 17 overs against Linden Park, only for the rain to come and force them to try again next week.

Matches are being rearranged for either Sunday June 3 or seven days later.